Apparatus and method for determining asset location via local triangulation

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a method for locating an asset in a facility. An example of an asset is a vehicle and an example of a facility is a parking facility. When the user enters the facility with the asset, the user receives a base and code from a base/code booth. The code may be stored on a removable card. The user secures the asset by entering the code. While the user is away from the facility, the present invention monitors the base for movement detected by the motion sensor. When the user returns to the facility, a locator panel displays the location of the asset. The present invention determines the location of the asset by triangulation using the locators. The user then returns to the asset, deactivates the motion sensor, returns the base and code to a base/code booth, pays for the storage services, and exits the facility.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed generally at a method for locating avehicle and specifically to a method for locating a vehicle parked in aparking facility when GPS signals cannot be received.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parking facilities are very common in major cities and metropolitanareas. After parking a vehicle in a parking facility, people sometimeshave difficulty finding their vehicle when they return to the parkingfacility. Moreover, if the parking facility contains multiple floors,then people can become frustrated when they have to walk up and downmany flights of stairs in search of their vehicle. Therefore, a needexists in the art for a method for locating a vehicle in a parkingfacility.

The prior art has previously addressed the problem of locating avehicle. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,489,921 (the '921 patent) entitled“Vehicle Locating Apparatus” discloses a method for determining thelocation of a vehicle in a parking facility. The method in the '921patent uses Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites to determine thelocation of the vehicle. Indeed, the prior art includes severaldifferent patents in which GPS satellites are used to locate theposition of a vehicle. Further examples of these patents include U.S.Pat. No. 6,489,897 entitled “Vehicle Location System” and U.S. Pat. No.6,405,125 entitled “Parked Vehicle Locator.”

The GPS-based prior art vehicle locators have many problems that arespecific to parking facilities. One problem with GPS based systems isthat vehicles must be equipped with a GPS receiver, which can be veryexpensive for the vehicle owners. A second problem is that GPS receiversrequire a direct line of sight to a plurality of GPS satellites in orderto operate accurately. While line of sight is not usually a problem inopen areas, the accuracy of the GPS system diminishes when the user isin close proximity to a plurality of tall buildings, such as those foundin many downtown or metropolitan areas. The tall buildings limit thenumber of GPS satellites that are within line of sight of the GPSreceiver. The GPS system becomes completely inoperative if the userenters a below ground parking facility. A third problem with GPS basedsystems is that the GPS satellites have also been disabled formaintenance, national security, and other reasons. When the GPSsatellites are disabled, the user is unable to locate his vehicle.Therefore, a need exists for a method for determining the location of avehicle which is not dependent on the GPS satellite system.

Even when the vehicle location system is not GPS based, parkingfacilities can offer unique challenges to vehicle locator systems. Forexample, if the parking facility is located below ground level, theground can prevent transmission of radio frequency (RF) and othersignals from the parking facility to external devices. Furthermore, ifthe parking facility is constructed out of reinforced concrete, thereinforcing material in the concrete can prevent transmission of RF andother signals between levels of the parking facility. Therefore, a needexists in the art for a method for locating a vehicle in a parkingfacility that is located below ground or in a reinforced concreteparking facility.

Another problem with parking facilities is the need for increasedvehicle security. People tend to leave their vehicles unattended forextended periods in a parking facility, which creates an increasedopportunity for theft, vandalism, or other damage to the vehicle.Security patrols reduce the likelihood of these types of crimes, but donot eliminate them. The effectiveness of the security patrols would beincreased if the security patrol were given notification that a vehiclewas being tampered with. Therefore, a need exists in the art for amethod for notifying a security patrol that a vehicle is being tamperedwith.

Even when the parking facility is an attended or valet parking facility,the parking facility operators need to be aware of the location of thevehicle at all times. If one of the parking facility operatorslegitimately moves the vehicle from one location to another, the parkingfacility operators need to be aware of the authorized movement and thenew location of the vehicle. Because the parking facility operators areresponsible for the vehicle while it is at the attended or valet parkingfacility, the parking facility operators need to be able to discernbetween authorized and unauthorized movement of the vehicle. Therefore,a need exists for a method for determining the location of a vehicle anddetecting authorized and unauthorized movement of the vehicle.

Consequently, a need exits in the art for a method for locating avehicle in a parking facility. A need also exists for a method fordetermining the location of a vehicle which is not dependent on the GPSsatellite system. The need extends to a method for locating a vehicle ina parking facility that is located below ground or in a reinforcedconcrete parking facility. The need also extends to a vehicle locatormethod that notifies a security patrol that a vehicle is being tamperedwith. Finally, a need exists for a vehicle location method that detectsauthorized and unauthorized movement of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, which meets the needs identified above, is amethod for locating a user's vehicle in a parking facility. The presentinvention comprises a parking facility equipped with a plurality oflocators and a base/card booth. When the user enters the parkingfacility with his vehicle, the user receives a base and card from thebase/card booth. The user parks his vehicle, removes the card from thebase, and secures his vehicle. The removal of the card from the baseactivates a motion sensor in the base. The user scans the card uponexiting the parking facility, notifying the parking facility that theuser's vehicle is unattended.

While the user is away from the parking facility, the present inventionmonitors the base for movement detected by the motion sensor. If themotion sensor detects a disturbance in the base and/or vehicle, then thebase notifies the parking facility that the vehicle has been disturbedand the present invention dispatches security personnel to the vehicle.The present invention determines the location of the vehicle bytriangulation using the locators. When the user returns to the parkingfacility, the user scans his card at a locator panel. The locator paneldisplays the location of the user's vehicle and optionally prints a setof directions to the user's vehicle. The user then returns to hisvehicle and inserts the card into the base to deactivate the motionsensor. The user then returns the base and card to a base/card booth,pays for the parking services, and exits the parking facility.

While the present invention is described in the context of an automotivevehicle located in a parking facility, the description is not meant asan architectural limitation. Persons of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the present invention may be used for tracking any typeof asset in a facility. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will alsoappreciate that the present invention may be used in conjunction with,or in lieu of, the Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are setforth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well asa preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, willbest be understood by reference to the following detailed description ofan illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of the components of the base of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the card of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the components of the locator panel of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the exterior of the locator panel of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the locators of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of the triangulation process of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of the base and card booth of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of the logic of the procedure for using thepresent invention;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of the logic of the base program of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 10 is an illustration of the logic of the locator panel program ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As used herein, the term “asset” shall mean a good that needs to beidentified amongst a group of similar goods. An asset may be a vehiclethat transports people, cargo or performs a service. However, an assetalso includes inventory and other goods that need to be located whenstored.

As used herein, the term “base” shall mean a device, associated with aspecific card, wherein the device is placed in a vehicle to identify thelocation of the vehicle.

As used herein, the term “base/card booth” shall mean an apparatus fordistributing and collecting bases and cards.

As used herein, the term “card” shall mean a device, associated with aspecific base, used to locate a vehicle. The card is used in conjunctionwith a locator panel to locate a specific base, and thus a specificvehicle.

As used herein, the term “locator panel” shall mean a device forlocating and displaying the location of a vehicle in a parking facility.

As used herein, the term “locator” shall mean a device for communicatingwith and triangulating the location of a base in a parking facility.

As used herein, the term “facility” shall mean an area for storing aplurality of assets. If the assets are vehicles, the facility may be aparking facility.

While the present invention is described in the context of an automotivevehicle located in a parking facility, the description is not meant asan architectural limitation. Persons of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the present invention may be used for tracking any typeof asset in a facility. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will alsoappreciate that the present invention may be used in conjunction with,or in lieu of the Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of base 100 of the present invention. Base 100component parts include transceiver 102, card reader 104, power supply105, processor 106, motion detector 107, and memory 108. Transceiver 102is a transmitter/receiver capable of wireless communication betweenprocessor 106 and other devices. Transceiver 102 may communicate byinfrared, radio frequency (RF), BLUETOOTH®, or any other means known bypersons of ordinary skill in the art. Card reader 104 is a device thatreads magnetically encoded cards, such as card 110 (See FIG. 2). Cardreader 104 also reads cards with other storage and information mediumssuch as bar code, optical, and other types of storage and informationmedia. Power supply 105 is a device that supplies power to thecomponents of base 100. Power supply 105 may be internal to base 100,such as battery or solar cell, or may link base 100 to an external powersource, such as a 12V car accessory plug. Processor 106 is amicroprocessor that controls the components of base 100. Processor 100can execute the instruction contained memory 108, including Base Program(BP) 300. Motion detector 107 is a device that detects movement of base100. Memory 108 is a non-volatile storage medium and includes BP 300. Inalternative embodiments, the base can be equipped with a glass breakagesensor to detect the act of breaking one of the vehicle's windows.Persons of ordinary skill in the art are aware of how to configure thebase of the present invention with a glass breakage sensor. Persons ofordinary skill in the art are also aware of component parts equivalentto the component parts illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of card 110. Card 110 is a token that containsstorage media 112. Storage media 112 identifies a specific card with aspecific base 100. Storage media 112 may be magnetic, bar code, optical,non-volatile, or any other storage or identification media known toperson of ordinary skill in the art. Additionally, persons of ordinaryskill in the art are aware of configurations for card 110 other than theconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 2.

In an alternative embodiment, card 100 may be replaced by a lock,keypad, or radio buttons affixed to base 100 and/or locator panel 120.In this alternative embodiment, the user would use a key, key sequence,or code to activate and deactivate base 100. Persons of ordinary skillin the art are aware of how to configure a base, such as base 100, witha keypad, lock, or plurality of radio buttons.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of locator panel 120 of the present invention.Locator panel 120 component parts include printer 121, transceiver 122,display screen 123, card reader 124, power supply 125, processor 126,and memory 128. Printer 121 is a device that prints the direction fromthe location of locator panel 120 to the user's vehicle. Transceiver 122is a transmitter/receiver capable of wireless communication betweenprocessor 126 and other devices. Transceiver 122 may communicate byinfrared, radio frequency (RF), BLUETOOTH®, or any other means known bypersons of ordinary skill in the art. Display screen 123 is a monitorcapable of displaying a graphical user interface (GUI), typically a mapof the parking facility. Display screen 123 can be configured such thata user can interface with locator panel 120 through display screen 123.Card reader 124 is a device that reads magnetically encoded cards, suchas card 110. Card reader 124 also reads cards with other storage andinformation mediums such as bar code, optical, and other types ofstorage and information media. Power supply 125 is a device thatsupplies power to the components of locator panel 120. Power supply 125may be internal to locator panel 120, such as battery or solar cell, ormay link locator panel 120 to an external power source, such as a 120Velectrical plug. Processor 126 is a microprocessor that controls thecomponents of locator panel 120. Processor 126 can execute theinstruction contained memory 128, including map 129 and Locator PanelProgram (LPP) 400. Processor 126 is also connected to a plurality oflocators 132. Processor 126 may be connected to locators 132 through awireless means, such as transceiver 122. Processor 126 may also beconnected to locators 132 by a wired means. Memory 128 is a non-volatilestorage medium and includes map 129 and LPP 400. Persons of ordinaryskill in the art are aware of component parts equivalent to thecomponent parts illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the exterior of locator panel 120. As canbe seen in FIG. 4, a user can locate their vehicle and interface withlocator panel 120 through display screen 123. The user inserts his cardinto card reader 124 and locator panel 120 requests that the systemlocated the corresponding vehicle by triangulating the vehicle'slocation and displays the position of the user's vehicle. If desired,the user may obtain printed directions to the user's vehicle fromprinter 121.

FIGS. 5 and 6 is an illustration of parking facility 130 equipped withlocators 132. Each floor of parking facility 130 is equipped with aplurality of locators 132. As seen in FIG. 6, each floor also containsplurality of ramps 134 and a stairwell 138. Positioning at least threelocators 132 on each floor of the parking facility removes the need totransmit signals through the parking facility construction material orfrom floor to floor inside the parking facility. The present inventioncan triangulate the position of vehicle 136 by triangulating theposition of the base (not shown), and thus vehicle 136, using threelocators 132. The distance from three locators 132 marks the exactlocation of vehicle 136. Each of the three circles in FIG. 6 representsa uniform distance from a particular locator 132. The three circlesintersect at only one location: the location of vehicle 136. Persons ofordinary skill in the art are aware of how to configure locators 132with ranging capabilities so that three locators 132 may triangulate theposition of vehicle 136.

FIG. 7 illustrates the correlation of parking facility 130 and base/cardbooth 150. Parking facility 130 contains one or more base/card booths150 that control a plurality of gates 152. When a user enters parkingfacility 130, the user stops at base/card booth 150 to obtain a base andcard (not shown). When the user obtains the base and card, base/cardbooth 150 opens gate 152 to allow the user to enter parking facility130. When the user exits parking facility 130, the user must return thebase and card to base/card booth 150 before base/card booth 150 willopen gate 152. The user may also pay for the parking at base/card booth150 or a separate facility.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of the overall logic of usage process 200 thepresent invention. Usage process 200 details the user's progress througha parking facility of the present invention. Usage process 200 starts(202) when the user seeks to enter the parking facility of the presentinvention. The user obtains a base and a card from the base/card booth(204). Persons of ordinary skill in the art are aware of other methodsin which a user may obtain a base and card. The user then parks hisvehicle (206). The user removes the card from the base, leaving the basein the user's vehicle (208). The user then secures his vehicle andinserts the card into the locator panel upon exiting the parkingfacility (210). When the user returns to the parking facility, the userinserts the card into the locator panel (212). The locator paneltriangulates the position of the base and thus the user's vehicle (214).The locator panel then displays the location of the user's vehicle andany other relevant information (216). If desired, the user can obtain aprinted set of direction to the user's vehicle from the locator panel.The user may also pay for the parking services at the locator panel. Inan alternative embodiment, when the user inserts the card into thelocator panel, the locator panel instructs the base to illuminate alight. This makes it easier for the user to find his vehicle if thevehicle is parked with a plurality of similar vehicles. In otheralternative embodiments, the locator panel can give the user informationregarding direction to a specific area, the weather, the estimated costof parking, whether checks or credit cards are accepted, the hours ofoperation, the location to the nearest card/base booth, and so forth.

The user then returns to his vehicle (218). The user then inserts thecard into the base (220). The user drives his vehicle to the base/cardbooth and returns the base and card (222). The base/card booth thendetermines whether the user has returned both the base and the card(224). If the user has returned both the base and card, then usageprocess 200 proceeds to step 228. If the user has not returned both thebase and the card, then the dispute over the unreturned item isresolved, possibly by payment of a fee (226), then proceeds to step 228.At step 228, the user pays for the parking services, if he has notalready done so (228). The usage process ends (230) when the user exitsthe parking facility.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of the logic of Base Program (BP) 300 of thepresent invention. BP 300 is a program that runs within the base of thepresent invention. BP 300 starts (302) when the user obtains the basefrom the base/card booth. After the user has parked his vehicle, theuser removes the card from the base (304). The base may be like base 100in FIG. 1. The card may be like card 110 in FIG. 2. Removing the cardfrom the base activates the motion sensor in the base (306). The motionsensor may optionally be activated after a delay to allow the user toexit and secure the vehicle. BP 300 then determines whether the motionsensor has detected a disturbance (308). If the motion detector has notdetected a disturbance, then BP 300 proceeds to step 312. If the motionsensor has detected a disturbance, then BP 300 notifies the locatorpanel of the disturbance (310). Locator panel may be like locator panel120 in FIG. 3. The base may notify the locator panel of the disturbancevia a transceiver in the base, or any other means known to persons ofordinary skill in the art. BP 300 may optionally wait a small amount oftime before sending the disturbance signal as the user will typicallydisturb the motion sensor when entering the vehicle. The locator panelthen notifies security of the disturbance (311). The user then insertsthe card into the base (312). Inserting the card into the basedeactivates the motion sensor (314). BP 300 then ends (316).

FIG. 10 is an illustration of the logic of Locator Panel Program (LPP)400. LPP 400 is a program that operates on the locator panel. LPP starts(402) when the user obtains the base and card from the base/card booth.The base/card booth may be like base/card booth 150 in FIG. 7. The userthen parks their vehicle and LPP 400 then detects the user exiting theparking facility (404). The user indicates that they have left theparking facility by scanning the card as they exit the parking facility.Alternatively, LPP 400 can assume that the user has left the parkingfacility when the user has not scanned his card in a predeterminedamount of time. LPP 400 then determines whether the vehicle has beendisturbed (406). LPP 400 can determine whether the vehicle has beendisturbed by monitoring for signals transmitted by the base. If thevehicle has not been disturbed, then LPP 400 proceeds to step 410. Ifthe vehicle has been disturbed, then LPP 400 dispatches security to thevehicle (408). LPP 400 can dispatch security to the vehicle by notifyinga security officer that the motion sensor in the base has detected adisturbance. LPP 400 can detect the location of the base bytriangulation. LPP 400 then proceeds to step 410.

At step 410, LPP 400 determines whether the user has returned to thefacility (410). If the user has not returned to the facility, then LPP400 returns to step 406. If the user has returned to the facility, thenLPP 400 determines whether the user has requested the location of thevehicle (412). The user can request the location of the vehicle from thelocator panel. If the user has not requested the location of thevehicle, then LPP 400 returns to step 406. If the user has requested thelocation of the vehicle, then LPP 400 displays the location of thevehicle to the user (414). LPP 400 can optionally print a set ofdirections to the vehicle for the user. LPP 400 ends (416) when the userexits the parking facility with their vehicle and returns the base andcard to the base/card booth.

In an alternative embodiment, card 110 can be configured with atransceiver that allows the parking facility and/or the base todetermine the location of card 110. The transceiver may be an activetransceiver with a power supply or a passive RF transceiver. In eithercase, the user could simply carry card 110 instead of inserting andremoving card 110 from base 100 and locator panel 120.

While the present invention is described in the context of an automotivevehicle located in a parking facility, the description is not meant asan architectural limitation. The present invention may be used for avariety of other purposes. The present invention is useful whenever anorganization needs to track moveable inventory or other assets in afacility. Examples of other applications include locating wheelchairs ina hospital, locating forklifts or other heavy equipment in a factory,and locating tugs and auxiliary power units (APUs) at an airport.Persons of ordinary skill in the art are aware of other applications forthe present invention. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will alsoappreciate that the present invention may be used in conjunction with,or in lieu of the Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system.

With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that theoptimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, manner ofoperation, assembly, and use are deemed readily apparent and obvious toone of ordinary skill in the art. The present invention encompasses allequivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings anddescribed in the specification. The novel spirit of the presentinvention is still embodied by reordering or deleting some of the stepscontained in this disclosure. The spirit of the invention is not meantto be limited in any way except by proper construction of the followingclaims.

1. A system for locating a vehicle in a multi-level parking facility,the system comprising: a card; a base inside the vehicle and associatedwith the card, the base comprising: a card reader for reading the card;a motion sensor, wherein removing the card from the base activates themotion sensor, and wherein inserting the card into the base deactivatesthe motion sensor; and a light; a booth at the entrance of themulti-level parking facility for distributing the card and the base to adriver of the vehicle; at least three locators on each level of themulti-level parking facility wherein said at least three locators are incommunication with the base; a locator panel in communication with thebase and with said at least three locators, wherein responsive to thecard being inserted into the locator panel, the locator paneltriangulates the position of the base; wherein the base transmits adisturbance signal to the locator panel upon movement of the vehiclewhile the motion sensor is activated; wherein responsive to the locatorpanel receiving the disturbance signal, the locator panel notifies asecurity patrol; and wherein responsive to the driver inserting the cardinto the locator panel, the locator panel displays the position of thevehicle and the light in the base illuminates to assist the driver inlocating the vehicle.